millie says pears, pears everywheres

Worldwide, there are over 30 primary and subspecies of edible pears, Pyrus spp., with China responsible for 12 of the 20 million tonnes produced yearly.  Related to the apple, there is no reason to travel the world for the chance to sample a good pear, nor reason for that same pear to have to come visit you, as many pear species bode well in cold temperatures.  A deciduous pear tree, but not an evergreen, may withstand temperatures plunging to -40 °C.  There is in fact some evidence that fruits fairing better in harsher climates produce a greater nutrient density, the pear being an example. Most nutrients from the pear are found in the skin, with studies showing that organic fruits produce even more antioxidants than conventional fruits.  Local varieties such as Bartlett, Beurre, Bosc, Comice, D’Anjou, Forelle, Peckham, Red, Red D’Anjou, and Seckel claim significant quantities of cancer protective phenolic compounds whereas Asian, Asian brown, Korean, and Korean Shinko have been found to contain only trace.  In fact 32 different phenolic and flavonoid glycosides have been found in different varieties of pear skins, with research showing pears are helpful in protecting against lung and colon cancer.  A high fibre content also makes pears good for the digestive and urinary system.  And, the be-all-and-end-all of the moment, one study even showed that 3 pears (or apples) per day can help induce weight loss, whereas 3 oat bars, can not.  Hope you enjoy these tasty pomes, daily.

originally posted at www.notfarfromthetree.org

xox dr millie lytle nd

millie says, eat plums

Covering the spectrum of the rainbow within one fruit are…plums (Prunus subgenus prunus). These tasty drupes, juicy sweet or tangy-tart, share membership in the rose family with several other favourites; cherry, peach, apricot, apple, pear, quince, almond and even olive. The impressively colored flesh, especially when the fruit is fully ripe, contains an abundance of ….you guessed it…cell-strengthening antioxidants. Specifically, the antioxidants found in plums help protect the very-important fatty tissue of the brain, preventing dementia and macular degeneration, therefore helping us think and see clearly. Plums are a favorite edible-medicinal in Japan, China, many parts of Europe, Africa and North America for a variety of reasons. In North America, it is the variety Prunus domestica when dried, a ‘prune’ is known for its incredible fibre content but fresh plums are also a good food to smooth the transmission time of the digestive system due to high contents of dietary fibre, sorbitol and isatin. Dried plums, prunes and other newer functional varieties, have also been shown to improve bone health by inhibiting bone cell destruction and increase iron absorption, due to high content of vitamin C. Don’t let plum season go-by without gobbeling up your share. And during hte winter, count on dried and naturally-preserved versions to provide off-season benefits.
originally posted at www.notfarfromthetree.org

xox dr millie lytle nd

millie says internet alert H1N1 read me read me

wow, lots of drama over H1N1 in Canada….not sure if you appreciated what I offered to Damian Rogers’ WELLNESS column this week or not http://www.eyeweekly.com/style/wellness/article/71764, some of you may think it is over-simplified, especially with recent rising death toll..so I thought i’d just add an appendix to my statements since they were made before the Native Reserve issue was released….As we know already, after years of warnings on the danger of the flu, and campaigns promoting free flushot, etc, etc… any influenza virus can be deadly.  The H1N1 is not an exception.  This particular strain of flu might also have more affinity for younger adults, which differs to the usual “older adults, immuno-compromised, children, pregnant women and those living in confined spaces (hospitals, nursing homes, etc)”, the rest of which is case with the regular flu viruses and mostly ALL contagious disease.

But instead of using these new media releases as fear-mongering fuel for the danger of the H1N1, I suggest a few thoughts; these deaths from H1N1 on the Native Reserves really provide evidence for the poor, poor conditions on Native Reserves… the fact that more members of this population are dying from a virus that most people in the same country are recovering from spontaneously is very strong evidence that people 1) are living in very close quarters (enhancing number of infections) 2) are not in good enough general health to spontaneously recover from a new virus (enhancing severity) 3) dont have access or are not following public health recommendations (frequent hand washing, avoidance of people who are ill, staying home when ill) and health care (medical professionals, antiviral treatment, traditional therapies, sound lifestyle recommendations).

The sometimes tragic conditions on Native Reserves is not a surprise, nor is it new information to the Canadian Government, Health Canada nor the educated reader, but once again these preventable deaths highlight, and REmind us of the intensity of social, ethical, political and health issues on Canada’s Native Reserves.  I offer these as reasons to continue NOT to panic over H1N1.

Roger. Over and out.

xox dr millie lytle nd

millie says syndication

for those of you looking for a healthy dose of the blogs you’ve missed, want to reread, or just curious..check out my reformatted entries appearing weekly at www.femMED.com , a vitamin company with a mission for the wimmin.

xox dr millie lytle nd